Reading Planet Rocket Phonics is a DfE approved SSP programme by Abigail Steel. The programme focuses on mastery, and has a ‘keep up, not catch up’ philosophy. It progresses through phoneme-grapheme correspondences with steady pace and progression. Time is spent securing and applying knowledge as it is learned, through the provision of carefully aligned practice in multiple domains of literacy (oral, spelling and reading).
In 2021, Rising Stars launched a two-year Impact Trial working with two independent evaluators (Professor Clare Wood, Nottingham Trent University and Dr Helen Breadmore, Associate Professor Psychology in Education, University of Birmingham) to measure the impact of the programme on pupils' reading attainment.
This interim evaluation report focuses on measuring the impact of the programme during the first year of implementation of Rocket Phonics across Reception and Year One using attainment data (New PiRA scores), teacher interviews, surveys and observations.
- Reception children showed promising signs of progress in both reading attainment and phonics knowledge
- Reception children using Rocket Phonics attained around 5 or 6 standardised scores more than children in the control schools in their New PiRA reading tests and, on average, reading ages were comparatively higher by a few months’ in spring and indicating a 10-month difference by the summer.
- All participating teachers agreed that they would recommend Rocket Phonics to other schools.
The progress made by our children is outstanding – we are sending a cohort of strong, confident readers up to Year 2.
I would 100% recommend to any school. The planning is great and it is easy for the teacher to carry out the sessions.
We have been able to see a huge improvement in the pupils' phonics knowledge and understanding and their reading.
The children have enjoyed reading this year and have made fabulous progress. It is a truly awesome scheme
Rocket Phonics is a DfE approved phonics programme by expert Abigail Steel. We approach phonics differently to ensure every child keeps up and not catches up.
Termly tests enabling you to reliably benchmark performance and track progress against national averages in reading. Standardised on over 10,000 pupils in 2019-2021.